Strong Verbs Worksheet Remember that verbs can show what the subject does, has, or is.

When writing a narrative (story), try to use strong action verbs. This forces us to write with an active voice rather than a passive voice and creates vivid imagery in the readers mind. EXAMPLES: Instead of: The tornado was loud. Try: The tornado deafened us. Instead of: The tornado was very close to my house. It was windy and loud. It made me nervous. I was scared. Try: The tornado approached my house with fury. As the wind shook my house with both hands, the shutters slammed against the siding. My heart raced, my knees knocked together, and sweat trickled down my face. I reached out for my brothers hand, and I wondered if we would survive as we headed for the basement with only the flashes of lightning to illuminate the way. PRACTICE: 1. Circle the passive or weak verbs in the first paragraph above. 2. Circle the strong verbs in the rewrite. 3. Find and UNDERLINE the figurative language in the second paragraph! NOW YOU TRY! Instead of: We went to Six Flags to ride a roller coaster. It was fun. I was with my best friend. We were so scared that we screamed all the way, but we were ready to go again. Try:__________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ Notice that I also made the piece stronger by showing instead of telling the reader my feelings. We will examine that idea later!

Lynnette Rotramel

Strong Verbs Practice EXAMINE your writing for strong verbs. Circle any being verbs (listed below) that you find in the story you are writing. Change the sentence like you did on the other side of this page by adding an action verb.
1. Find the following being verbs in your story and circle them:

is

are

was

were

am

be

being

been

became

2. See if you can change the sentence to an active voice by replacing the being verbs that you circled with a strong verb instead. For example, instead of My grandmas pie is delicious. Change to: My grandma creates a delicious pie.
I was the best dribbler on the court. I dribbled down the court like a pro! SOME STRONG VERBS distinguish inquire resemble reflect appear impact personify convey supply emerge develop note serve administer tackle refute accomplish symbolize consider process discuss challenge exhibit presume evoke claim encourage outline rumbled persuade expose represent influence contradict transform preserve eradicate demand assume portray state describe incorporate operate launch exist express regard value analyze suffer abolish offer experience display argue reveal achieve create project present base act educate undergo struggle embody believe impress organize evolve define delegate establish involve

Being verb I circled

I replaced it with this